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100% Pass Rate: Wake Forest MBAs Master Six Sigma Methodology

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —All Wake Forest University Schools of Business Master of Business Administration students who took a Six Sigma certification exam administered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) in May of 2011 successfully passed, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of valuable process analysis and improvement skills.

Six Sigma is a methodology for improving business processes now widely used in corporate settings, as well as government, nonprofit and healthcare organizations. The growth in its popularity since it was developed in 1986 has led to an increased demand for individuals with Six Sigma skills and certification.

To sit for the Six Sigma Green Belt exam, students must have three years of work experience in areas related to Six Sigma. Candidates are tested on Six Sigma philosophies, principles, tools and methodologies. This year, 26 Wake Forest University MBA students received the Green Belt certification.

The Black Belt certification requires more in-depth knowledge, completion of Six Sigma projects, and the ability to teach and mentor others in the Six Sigma methodology. Five graduating Wake Forest MBAs sat for and received the Six Sigma Black Belt certification in May.

“I am delighted that almost half of our first year full-time MBA class sat for and passed the Green Belt exam,” said Scott Shafer, Professor of Management and Senior Associate Dean of Graduate Business Programs at Wake Forest University Schools of Business. “I believe our strength in Six Sigma was a significant contributor to why recruiters surveyed for the recent Bloomberg BusinessWeek ranking ranked our students 8th best in the country for Operations Management skills.”

Full-time MBA students at the Wake Forest University Schools of Business have the option to choose from several career concentrations including: operations management, consulting/general management, entrepreneurship, finance, health and marketing.

Click here to read a related story in the Triad Business Journal.